CAPT John "Jay" Brainard

US ARMY

KIA 5.28.2012

CAPT John "Jay" Brainard

Jay Brainard is remembered as a dedicated husband, soldier, and friend to many. Army CPT John “Jay” Brainard was killed in action in Kabul, Afghanistan, on May 28, 2012, when his AH-64 Apache helicopter was shot down by enemy fire. He was serving on his first deployment with 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, from Ansbach, Germany. He was 26 years old.

Jay devoted his life to his military profession and taking care of soldiers. He was a wonderful leader and friend to many. Prior to his military career, he attended the University of Maine at Orono, where he studied Political Science and graduated in 2008. Jay was an integral part in growing UMaine’s ROTC program, and worked as a recruiter for the program briefly following graduation. He graduated high school from Foxcroft Academy, where he played football, was a member of the swim team, and played trumpet. He grew up in Atkinson, ME, for most of his childhood.

Outside of work and school, he enjoyed spending time outdoors, traveling, hiking, biking, boating, camping, and hunting. He was married to his college sweetheart and surviving widow, now Emily Doll, for three and a half years. Jay is deeply loved and missed by all those who knew him.